July 03--This easily could turn into one of those unforgettable Chicago weekends you can't remember on Monday.
Three distinct tribes converge in town Friday as the White Sox and Cubs return home from road trips and the Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well" concerts hit Soldier Field.
It's B.Y.O.K. (Bring Your Own Karma) for Sox fans, Cubs fans and Deadheads, with the distinct possibility of rainbows on Sunday.
By weekend's end, some burning questions may be answered:
"What will be the final encore in Grateful Dead history?"
"Will the Sox get back into contention?"
"Can anyone pull off the unprecedented Cubs-Sox-Dead tripleheader?"
"Dude, where's my car?"
Heading into this potentially epic weekend, here's a primer on the main events, the three fan bases and where everyone's heads are at:
Historical significance
Deadheads: 50th anniversary and final three concerts in Grateful Dead history.
Cubs fans: First postgame fireworks show on Saturday.
White Sox fans: Jeff Samardzija farewell tour begins Saturday.
Opponents
Sox fans: Orioles.
Cubs fans: Marlins.
Deadheads: Security.
Current metaphysical state
Sox fans: Bummed out.
Cubs fans: Riding the wave.
Deadheads: Total bliss.
Spiritual leader
Deadheads: Jerry Garcia.
Cubs fans: Harry Caray.
Sox fans: Ozzie Guillen (still alive).
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Deadheads: "Fare Thee Well" Tour
Sox fans: "Fire Thee Manager" Tour
Cubs fans: "(Blank) Thee Cardinals" Tour
Cult hero
Deadheads: Ron "Pigpen" McKernan.
Sox fans: Walt "No-Neck" Williams.
Cubs fans: Jose Cardenal.
No. 1 fan
Deadheads: Bill Walton.
Cubs fans: Bill Murray.
Sox fans: President Obama.
Words to live by
Deadheads: "What a long, strange trip it's been."
Cubs fans: "Don't ever let the pressure exceed the pleasure."
Sox fans: "Say it ain't so, Joe."
Hippie factor
Cubs fans: Manager Joe Maddon likes to say "groovy" when news conferences end.
Sox fans: Disco Demolition Night anniversary coming July 12.
Deadheads: Hippies elbowed aside by former hippies for expensive tickets.
Rookie to watch
Cubs fans: Third baseman Kris Bryant.
Sox fans: Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon.
Deadheads: Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio.
Anxiously awaiting...
Cubs fans: Theo Epstein to trade for a starter.
Sox fans: Chris Sale to break Pedro Martinez's record of eight straight games with 10 or more strikeouts.
Deadheads: "Sugar Magnolia."
Best opportunity for bathroom break
Cubs fans: Top of the fourth.
Sox fans: Don Cooper mound conference.
Deadheads: Mickey Hart drum solo.
2015 mantra
Cubs fans: "When life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door."
Sox fans: "I need a miracle every day."
Deadheads: "I may be going to hell in a bucket, baby, but at least I'm enjoying the ride."
psullivan@tribpub.com
